Du Toit Lambrechts, CEO of Special Operations Group (SOG), recently shared some important information with the RECORD regarding recent robberies after people left banks with substantial amounts of cash.
“There have been quite a few incidents lately where people were robbed after withdrawing large cash amounts from inside the banks,” he said.
According to him, it is not an inside job as many believe, as bank tellers are not allowed to have their cellphones on them while working.
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Lambrechts said, “Any, and all the banks are targeted, depending on location, ease of access, setup inside the bank and escape routes. Robbers do prefer some banks over others.”
He further explained that various syndicates are using a similar modus operandi and are operating in groups of about six to eight, split into two teams, the spotters and the gunmen.
The spotter enters the bank and queues at the tellers.
The spotter always fits in well with the general public, often even an older male that would fit the ‘normal’ profile.
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“He then watches which client withdraws a large amount of cash (normally R10 000 or more) after which he leaves the queue and waits outside the bank for the client to leave and he follows the soon-to-be victim.
“In the parking area, the spotter vehicle picks up the spotter himself and they follow the victim at a safe distance.
“The spotters then notify the gunmen that they have a victim and the gunmen, who have been hanging around nearby, join the pursuit.”
He continued and explained that spotters will have a legit vehicle, registration number, no firearms and will pass any police roadblock.
“The gunmen, on the other hand, will have false plates and carry a small armoury, depending on the specific group.
“The gunmen, normally about three to four, will pounce on the victim as soon as the opportunity arises, often at the victim’s destination where the vehicle comes to a standstill. It has, however, happened that they do it at traffic lights or even on on-ramps.”
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Lambrechts said although awareness is a must, it will be extremely difficult to spot these criminals.
“The best option would be to get a professional armed escort. Just last week, two policemen were killed in a bank following in the Irene area in Pretoria, while doing an escort, and they were better trained than your local armed response,” he said.
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